A cold wave has set in across large parts of north and central India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that below-normal night temperatures will persist for at least another week.
According to the IMD, minimum temperatures have dropped 4–7°C below average in several parts of East Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh, while regions of south Punjab, south Haryana, and Delhi are also experiencing colder-than-usual nights. In isolated parts of East Rajasthan, temperatures have fallen below 10°C, leading to cold wave to severe cold wave conditions.
Officials attribute the drop in mercury to a western disturbance over north India and changing wind patterns. The weather office said similar conditions are likely to prevail across northwest and adjoining central India, with minimum temperatures expected to remain 2–5°C below normal over the next six to seven days.
While northern India braces for an early winter, the southern states are preparing for widespread rain and thunderstorms. A trough extending from the southwest Bay of Bengal to central Kerala, along with a cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Mannar, is expected to bring light to moderate rainfall in most areas. Heavy showers are likely in Tamil Nadu between November 8 and 9 and again from November 12 to 13, and in Kerala and Mahe between November 8 and 9.
The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms with lightning over Tamil Nadu till November 12 and over Kerala till November 10. Minimum temperatures are likely to fall by 2°C in Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh over the next two days, and by 2–4°C across eastern India in the next four days.
In Delhi, the air has turned crisp with shallow fog during early mornings. The IMD said clear skies will continue until November 11, with minimum temperatures between 9°C and 11°C and maximums around 27°C to 29°C — both slightly below normal. On Saturday morning, visibility at Safdarjung airport dropped to 900 metres due to fog before improving later in the day. Northwest winds up to 20 kmph are expected to ease after sunset.
Residents in the capital can expect chilly mornings and pleasant afternoons through the week, with maximum temperatures staying 1–2°C below normal and minimums 2–4°C lower than usual. The pattern is expected to continue into next week, marking an early onset of winter after weeks of lingering humidity.
In Tamil Nadu, the IMD has advised farmers to harvest mature rice and groundnut crops during clear weather and ensure proper drainage in paddy, sugarcane, cotton, and maize fields to prevent waterlogging. In East Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh, where cold wave conditions persist, farmers are encouraged to use light irrigation and mulching to protect crops from cold stress, and to cover vegetable nurseries and young fruit plants with straw or polythene sheets to retain soil warmth.
Livestock owners in rain-hit regions have been asked to keep animals sheltered and fodder stored safely, while fish farmers are advised to use netting to prevent overflow losses.
The IMD said that both the western disturbance over north India and the trough across the Bay of Bengal will continue to influence the country’s weather pattern in the coming days. It urged the public to act promptly on orange and red alerts, especially in vulnerable and hilly regions.
For Delhi and much of north India, the sweltering humidity has finally given way to cool, crisp air — signaling the arrival of winter even as the south gears up for another spell of rain and thunder.